Chapter 99
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Translator: Wjin
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: Reinhardt's Technological Prowess is World-Class (5)
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Since then, I was able to meet quite a few people. Count Petrinant's expo was only a week-long schedule, but the people gathered there were all major figures.
Meaning, not a single person was planning to turn back home just because the expo was over.
Almost every day, in the central city of Deolonto within the Count's territory, parties and meetings with influential figures took place.
And thanks to me being surrounded by the prestige of Soni Chepelin, the Grand Archmage of the Sky, I ended up meeting not just figures from the Reinhardt Empire, but also many people from other countries.
"I have heard much about you, Soni Chepelin. I am Laurent Dominique, the ambassador of the Free Democratic Republic of Prusse to the Reinhardt Empire."
He was an acquaintance of Soni Chepelin whom I had run into at the party. As an ambassador-level figure, he was surely well-versed in the diplomatic affairs of the Free Democratic Republic of Prusse.
I gladly exchanged contact information with him. This was truly inconvenient.
In a situation where there was no KakaoTalk, no email, and not even a phone number, I still had to communicate via letters.
As someone who had enjoyed the conveniences of modern civilization just a few months ago, I couldn't quite get used to it.
"Major General Bianne of the Polanian Republic Army. I command the elite Hussar Cavalry Regiment. It's my first time seeing a soldier from Ukran, but you have quite the striking appearance. Are you, by any chance, a cavalryman?"
Next was a general from a neighboring country.
Not a field officer, but a general-level figure. And he was the commander of a regiment in the Hussar Cavalry Division, considered the elite force of the Polanian Republic.
Since he was a general from the Polanian Republic, a neutral nation like our own, I thought it would be useful to build a connection early for my future plans.
The Polanian Republic was a neighboring country that was set to play a significant role in my plans as well.
Following the diplomat and the soldier, the next person to visit me was none other than.
"I am Sarah Ronald, a senior reporter from Wilson Times of the Federal Republic of America. Please be sure to contact me if you have any good story leads. I will surely compensate you."
The blonde woman said as she immediately handed me her contact card. She had approached me while I was cleansing my insides with fruit juice in a corner of the banquet hall.
"Wilson Times...?"
I checked her business card. Wilson Times of the Federal Republic of America. I'd heard of it. It was a newspaper company that could be considered practically the world's only media outlet at this point.
Of course, even Ukran, which was quite backward compared to other nations, had a few small media outlets publishing journals in the capital, Kiev.
But that was only information within Ukran.
It was on a completely different level from Wilson Times, which gathered news from all over the world.
Why would a media outlet like this suddenly...? Usually, they wouldn't be interested in a weak nation like Ukran.
As I looked at her with a puzzled expression, Sarah Ronald answered first.
"Lately, the headquarters is increasing its overseas branches. Especially, it's difficult to enter the Imperial Alliance side, which is relatively closed off compared to the Free Alliance side, isn't it?"
"So, for Ukran...?"
"Yes! There's no better country than Ukran to use as a media outpost! Above all, you're a neutral nation that doesn't belong to either the Free Alliance or the Imperial Alliance side, right?"
She added with a bright smile. Even if she hadn't explicitly stated she was a reporter, her vibe was one that made you certain she was a journalist.
"Don't you agree, Enok Levandel?"
"How did you know my name?"
"Are you joking right now?"
She tilted her head and asked back.
"No, I'm not. I'm really asking how you knew."
"...Isn't it stranger if I didn't know? You're meeting all sorts of people on behalf of the Grand Archmage, Soni Chepelin."
"Hmm."
She was right.
Considering her position as a Grand Archmage, many people would request meetings regardless of Ukran's nationality.
But was our Major General the type to grant all such requests?
She only met people she found interesting or useful, and otherwise, she wouldn't even bother, so in the end, the task of handling them fell to me and Lumia.
During that process, it seemed my name had gotten around to the reporter who was also meeting all sorts of people.
"I hear my name mentioned here and there, to the point where I can't help but get curious."
Snap.
She snapped her fingers.
A journalist. I couldn't say it was a bad connection at all. Rather, I should be grateful that she approached me first.
In the end, it would be a battle of public opinion in the future.
People may not be paying attention to the power of the media yet, but in fact, the most suitable means to shake the masses is the media.
I carefully put her business card into my pocket, then took my own business card from the front of my uniform and handed it to her.
"I see. Let me introduce myself formally. I am Captain Enok Levandel of the Ukran Army."
"Oh, you're so mannerly. Usually, when people hear I'm a reporter, they look at me like I'm something else."
"I have a personal interest in the Federal Republic of America. Especially regarding that 'freedom'."
"Hmm~ This is an unexpected reaction. It seems the term 'pioneer' isn't wrong."
"Pioneer?"
"I have sharper ears and eyes than others. There's nothing I can't hear or see."
Sarah Ronald answered in a playful voice, her eyes crinkling. She was exactly the kind of journalist character you'd only see in novels or dramas.
"Sir?"
Another voice was heard at that moment. Familiar, yet strangely cold in tone. As she took a step closer, silver hair, completely contrasting with Sarah's, swayed gently.
"And who is this?"
"Ah, Lumia. Have you heard of the Federal Republic of America's Wilson Times?"
"No."
Lumia cut her off bluntly. She was smiling, but for some reason, it didn't feel like she was.
"First time hearing it... What kind of place is it?"
"Heung, that can happen. It's proof that our Times has to work harder from now on."
It felt a bit provocative, but Sarah smoothly brushed it off and handed a business card with her contact information to Lumia.
"I'm Senior Reporter Sarah Ronald."
"Second Lieutenant Lumia Blue."
"Are you Captain Enok's aide? Or his direct subordinate?"
"I'm his adjutant."
She already had a cold impression, but the current Lumia was exuding an aura that would make a stranger feel they couldn't even approach her.
What was this? Did something unpleasant happen?
Since she was so pretty, some scummy guys might have tried to hit on her. I swallowed dryly as I looked back and forth between Lumia and Sarah.
In the end, the strange standoff between the two ended with Sarah creating a peaceful mood first.
"Anyway, if things go well, I might see you two in Ukran. I'm a reporter who covers everything from politics, military, economy, and society, to even 'entertainment'. If you have any good material, please be sure to contact me."
"I understand."
"Then, I'm sorry for interrupting. I hope you two have a 'good time'."
It must have been my imagination that the phrase "good time" seemed to carry extra emphasis.
Lumia Blue was depressed. It was a stroke of luck that she could be with Enok Levandel, having sidelined the suddenly proactive Bell Mayer.
However, the situation was truly different from the daily life she had anticipated.
The Captain, who met new people in various parts of the city almost every day, made it nearly impossible for them to spend time alone.
Instead, she was stuck in a continuous situation of cleaning up after the extremely capricious Major General Soni Chepelin.
On top of that, the biggest worry was that, just like last time, all sorts of women clung to Enok Levandel during the process.
According to what she'd heard from Bell, even at the banquet of Count Jacques Pedro, the Honorary Lord of Byaltok, there were beautiful young ladies trying to talk to him at least once.
Seeing such scenes unfold right before her eyes, Lumia could only feel frustrated.
Enok Levandel was handsome. On top of that, he possessed dignity and charisma stemming from his strangely cold and cool expression and atmosphere.
It might be hard for a superior or subordinate to approach him, but for an outsider with no prior contact, it seemed to act as a major point of attraction.
He's cold, but he'd be warm to his own woman.
Well, something like that.
'...He really does suit it.'
She knew it well. Even if they clung to him, they'd just be half-baked nobodies. Besides, Captain Enok Levandel wasn't the type to be a womanizer.
If a person wasn't necessary at the moment, he always kept his distance first. And even if they were necessary, he never tried to get closer than needed.
Was it out of a kind of modesty?
Or did he have other thoughts? It was hard for Lumia to guess.
But still, she couldn't help but feel anxious.
Lumia Blue wasn't someone who got criticized for her looks wherever she went; in fact, she was often mistaken for a noble, and many prominent figures frequently clung to her.
Scions of noble houses, heirs to large merchant guilds, and even influential figures with close ties to the imperial court or central power.
Even purely in terms of lineage, looks, and ability, they were people who could rival Enok. But Lumia was never satisfied with them.
Because Captain Enok Levandel had already taken a deep place in her heart.
"This won't do. I should go get some fresh air for a bit."
There was no point in sitting alone in her room feeling gloomy. Lumia got up listlessly and put on her coat.
The weather had grown quite chilly. It was cold enough to need a winter coat once the sun went down.
Winter was coming soon.
She felt a slight sense of nostalgia. Thinking back to last winter, she realized she had gone through such a difficult path.
Days filled with being scorned, ignored, and humiliated, floundering in a dark abyss with no hope.
'But... it's all thanks to the Captain, isn't it?'
Just being allowed to be by that man's side was more than enough. Perhaps her role was only ever meant to be this much.
As she was chewing on these bitter thoughts and about to leave the room.
"Huh?"
"Ugh..."
She happened to lock eyes with Enok Levandel, who was just entering her room.
"Captain?!"
"Lumia, were you thinking of going out somewhere?"
"Ah, no! I was just thinking of getting some fresh air. It's fine! But what brings you here..."
"Ah, it's nothing major."
Enok Levandel held out a bottle of wine to Lumia.
"Our business in Reinhardt is almost over, isn't it? You've worked so hard all this time, Second Lieutenant Lumia. I felt I've been too busy to properly take care of you."
"Ah... Thank you."
A gift? I don't need this kind of thing. It was clearly a high-end wine, but right now, Lumia needed time alone with him more than a gift.
But she couldn't show that.
She took the wine and was about to place it on a shelf, but Enok stopped her in surprise.
"Why are you putting it there?"
"Huh?"
"Did you really think I wouldn't have thought of that? I prepared separate gifts for Second Lieutenant Lumia and the unit members, so you don't have to worry."
"Then what is this for...?"
"A gift just for you and me, Lumia."
"Huh??"
Lumia's eyes widened.
"How about we spend some time together, just the two of us, today?"
Enok Levandel grinned. Lumia's pale white face was instantly painted red.